Increased occurrence of status epilepticus in patients with brain metastases and checkpoint inhibition

Integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has improved the efficacy of treatment regimens for various cancers. The array of potential side effects keeps evolving and includes neurological complications. An increased risk of seizures and status epilepticus (SE) has been discussed and appears likely. In this report, we present clinical data from brain metastases patients undergoing ICI treatment revealing, for what we believe is the first time, SE as a serious adverse effect of ICI treatment. In our cohort of 3202 patients with brain metastases, we observed an increasing incidence of SE since the approval of ICIs in 2014 (16 patients in 2008–2013 vs. 36 patients in 2014–2019). Almost half of the patients treated in 2014–2019 received ICIs during the course of their disease, and in more than 80% of cases last dose of ICIs was given less than 30 days before SE. These findings suggest that ICIs may lead to an increased rate of SE in patients with brain metastases. Additional mechanistic research and prospective trials are necessary to elucidate the pathomechanism causing SE in patients treated with ICIs.